How Hard Can It Be? Round 4

[redrhodie]

That sounds amazing!

[Veronica]

The hike was very cool. We were really lucky with the weather in that was overcast on our return and we had a tailwind.

Heading home today. I got in one last short run this morning. Volcano is at 4,000 feet and I could feel it on my run today. Or maybe I'm just tired from the hike. I went out at 5:45 and got to watch the sun rise when I could see it through the rain forest. Lots of different birds making all sorts of noise, fragrant flowers lining the roads and no cars. Paradise...

Veronica

[Veronica]

Now that we're home and I've done all of my downloads I can tell you that hike we did had Saturday had 1.5 miles at an average grade of 19.3 percent. I swear it was like going up a wall! I'm counting that bit in my running miles.

Veronica

[Veronica]

I had to finish up my goals for April today. I have stuff going on Friday and Saturday and while I could probably squeeze in something... I didn't want to count on it.

Before work this morning I had a nice session on the trainer with Coach Troy and Dropping the Hammer. I swear I get more out of that video than any other I do. Tuesday was Mental Toughness and it just doesn't seem to get me like Dropping the Hammer. It's nice to go to work pumped up on endorphins.

Thursday afternoon is 'Fun Run" time. I decided I was going to do my "hilly" route. The Fun Run is all about no expectations. I knew I needed 4.5 miles to finish up the month and my hilly route is 4.6 miles and I hadn't done it in a long time. It's got a nice, relatively flat two mile warm up that I averaged 9:45 on. Woohooo! The hills start just after mile two - 4 pretty good size hills and they each kicked my butt. I ended up walking a little bit after each one. But it doesn't matter, 'cause it's Fun Run day. And I still ended up with a 10:17 average for the 4.6 miles. The last time I did this exact same route was July 9, 2010 (love Sport Tracks, it was easy to find) and I averaged 11:42 with no walking. It's so cool to be able to see the improvement.

I didn't swim as much as I would have liked to this month - only once. Two bricks, lots of yoga and personal trainer sessions and I made my running and Spinervals goals.

In some ways it feels like time is flying! I only have six more weeks of school. I'll ramp up the training a bit then. I have my first race May 8. It's kind of a long sprint distance: 1,000 yard swim, 16 mile bike and 4 mile run. Not a lot of women have done it in the past, so I could place. That would be cool, but really it's more about seeing where I'm at. My bricks have been just about that distance. My only concern is my run on my brick is pretty flat.

Otherwise, May will be more of the same.

Veronica

[tprevost]

Which one are you doing may 8? I'm signed up for two this year (my first attempts). This thread is very helpful 8-)

[Veronica]

Angel's Camp.

Veronica

[tprevost]

Angel's Camp.

Veronica

Cool! We have a few people we know that do this one... I'll wave to you as you speed by in a blur 8-). (just watching our friends on this one)

[Veronica]

Cool! I've never had any one other than Thom cheering for me.

Are you going to the BBQ after?

Veronica

[tprevost]

I didn't know there was one 8-). Last year we watched our vet race, it was freezing but fun! Have you done this one before? My family is forced to go... It's on mothers day so I am the boss 8-). Hee hee! I'll find you and say hello.. I'm sure you'll rock it!

[Veronica]

First time for me for this one. I hope it's not too hilly.

Veronica

[tprevost]

Well... If the course is the same, you'll run uphill from the swim to transition, the bike ride has a good hill in the first couple miles but is otherwise rollers, and the run is a trail run with very slight rollers... It's a nice course 8-)

The good news is that the water level is much higher than last year so a shorter distance from the water up to transition. Also, the water start is on the launch so you'll be running up grooved concrete (they sweep it for you I believe)

[Veronica]

My first run in May was fantastic!

First of all, I really didn't want to do anything today. We worked a rest stop for the Devil Mountain Double yesterday and it is exhausting and an all day affair. Our stop is probably one of the most remote, at the base of Mount Hamilton. It's 50 miles out a very twisty road, so just getting there is an adventure. It's roughly at mile 125 of a 206 mile ride, so the riders are pretty spread out. Our first guy showed up at 12:50, the last rider at about 6 PM. Then you clean up the spot, drive out, drop off supplies and head home. LONG day.

But I figured I would go out and do an easy run while Thom worked out with the trainer.

All this interval work, weight work, plyomterics, eating properly... it's all coming together. I did 2.8 miles at a 9:22 pace. I am just thrilled with my progress.

First race is a week from today. I'm getting excited and nervous.

Veronica

[maillotpois]

We worked a rest stop for the Devil Mountain Double yesterday and it is exhausting and an all day affair. Our stop is probably one of the most remote, at the base of Mount Hamilton. It's 50 miles out a very twisty road, so just getting there is an adventure. It's roughly at mile 125 of a 206 mile ride, so the riders are pretty spread out. Our first guy showed up at 12:50, the last rider at about 6 PM. Then you clean up the spot, drive out, drop off supplies and head home. LONG day.

And thanks for that - you guys put in incredibly long hours. The amount and quality of the support out there is always humbling.

Glad you got a good run in!!

[Veronica]

And thanks for that - you guys put in incredibly long hours. The amount and quality of the support out there is always humbling.

Glad you got a good run in!!

We really do have fun doing the rest stop, but we're always a bit tired the next day. Next year will be our TENTH year working DMD.

Hey, we both had PBs this weekend. Three hours off your last DMD finish time! You ROCK MP!

Veronica

[maillotpois]

My friend Rick was at the start to see us off and pick up his Mines rest stop stuff (the mile 17 water stop), then he and his wife were at Sunol at 8 - 9 when I came through, then they were at the finish til after 1. I have other friends who work days in a row on that. I am just in awe of the time and energy putting something like that on takes.

And in awe of a 9:22 pace - crazy fast! (Says the reformed non-runner.)